Job Lessons from 2014

You must be your own career advocate. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s comments discouraging women to ask for a raise highlighted this important issue.

He said, “It’s not really about asking for the raise but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along.”

Regardless of gender, this is an important issue. I’ve found in my coaching practice that men and women are equally likely not to ask for more money or a promotion.

Challenge yourself to ask for what you want. The times when it doesn’t work out, you will know it’s time to move on to another challenge.

Companies pay very differently for the same positions. Websites like Glassdoor.com have opened the curtain to salary information. Use this data in your search to ensure you’re on a fair playing field.

Often, you end up getting what you’ll settle for. In the past, companies were able to keep you in the dark and offer as little money as they could get away with.

Now, the websites reveal this information and create an opportunity for you to make more, even when you don’t have the inside track.

Pay equality still has room to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women are still making approximately 77 cents per dollar that men are earning.

I suspect this statistic could be applied to other groups as well. The bottom line is that discrimination still happens sometimes, as much as we wish it wouldn’t.

As in the previous examples, use the internet to your benefit. Sites like Salary.com will show you how much someone should be making on average for your job. Find out where you fall on the scale.

Companies no longer hold all the power. Employment websites now offer company reviews. In the same way that you might rate a hotel you stayed at, employees are rating their bosses. These ratings give you insight into what’s happening on the inside.

Not only do they give you more power, but they put companies on their best behavior. No executive wants to be called out online for less than savory business practices.

And, the best part is– you won’t quit your current job to walk into a disastrous situation. Having reviews online allows you to make an informed choice about your employment future.

As you have probably noticed, my biggest take away from 2014 is that the power of the information available on the internet can truly transform your career path. Never before has so much data been available for free to job seekers. Take advantage of this, and leverage it to your benefit — while being the CEO of your own career. Nobody can help your career as much as you can!

Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Thanks.